During the Early Years degree, your studies will examine contemporary issues around children's play, learning and development, as well as identifying the vital role played by parents, carers and professionals.

You'll explore children's rights and how they are incorporated in early years policy in England and Wales, as well as examining sustainability, leadership and multi-agency working. You'll also gain an understanding of the curriculum by looking at literacy, numeracy, outdoor learning, and reflective strategies to support behaviour management.

In tandem with developing your academic skills and enhancing your employability through work-based placement experiences, you will have additional opportunities that will enhance your knowledge and skills. These include courses such as the British Dyslexia Association ALSA qualification, and Safeguarding Children qualification (Level 1). Please note, this may incur an additional cost.

Year One: Early Years Degree

• Child Development, Play and Well Being - 40 credits
• Words Matter, Numbers Count - 40 credits
• Professional Learning Practice 1 - 40 credits

Year Two: Early Years Degree

• Inclusive Practice in the Early Years - 40 credits
• Children Learning through Landscapes - 20 credits (optional)
• Curriculum Matters - 20 credits
• Learning for Sustainability - 20 credits (optional)
• Professional Learning Practice 2 - 40 credits

Year Three: Early Years Degree

• Researching in the Early Years - 40 credits
• Leading and Managing in the Early Years - 20 credits (optional)
• Working with Young Children and their Families - 20 credits (optional)
• Positive Approaches to Behaviour Management - 20 credits (optional)
• Professional Learning Practice 3 - 40 credits

Each year 120 credits of study are required to be completed.

A Early Years Education degree can lead to a range of interesting careers when you graduate. Career paths typically include those in education, with graduates working in schools, nurseries, children’s charities and integrated children’s centres. A number of graduates also go on to gain their PGCE qualification and become qualified teachers.

Recent graduates have gained employment in a variety of roles in early years settings as well as project officer roles within local community projects and in charities. Plus, many students gain employment as a result of their practice in placement, supporting children one to one and in higher level teaching assistant roles and within flying start settings (salaries from approx. £19 - 21,000 p.a.).